Lescott: Everton can fulfill my ambitions

The England defender, who penned a new four-year deal last week, told evertonfc.com: "I was obviously happy to sign because I always knew my future was here.

"The Club has shown faith in me and I see it as a great achievement for myself to get a new, extended deal so soon after arriving.

"This is a Club on the up. We are looking at being involved in Europe every season and progressing further than we have done already. The Club is very ambitious and is one of the few clubs in England that has progressed in the last few years."

Lescott is the latest of Everton's key players to commit long-term to the Club, following the likes of Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Andrew Johnson, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert.

He continues: "Having so many of the other lads signing deals was never a factor in me re-signing. But this is a Club that rewards players who give their all for the team and help realise the ambitions here. We have got some great players here who have been rewarded with new deals in the last year or so, players who have a big future. It is an exciting time to be at this Club and we have faith in each other.

"We are all fighting for the same thing and pushing in the same direction. That is why I signed, and that is why I am so confident about the future."